Reese slipped her hand into his, tugging him toward the door. “It was nice to meet you, Aimee.” Hudson gave them a nod, relieved that both Jed and their horses were unharmed. It didn’t solve his hunting problem, though. Or how he prevented another fire in the future.
They watched the fire truck leave, followed by Sheriff Brady. But it didn’t mean Hudson would sleep easy. Tonight’s events made him wonder if the last rancher threw in the towel because he’d been bullied off his own property. “What if they go after the stable next?”
“You won’t let that happen,” Reese said firmly. “Wewon’t let that happen.”
Hudson’s heart skipped a beat, reminding him of the moment that had been interrupted earlier that evening. They’d made it all the way to the unlit fire pit before he realized the ring was in his jacket pocket, back in his truck.
When he turned to go back for it, Reese tugged on his hand. “Come watch the stars with me.”
They sat on the edge of the patio, feet in the dew-covered grass, and stared up overhead.
“What did you wish for?” he asked. “The last time we saw a shooting star together?”
Reese rested her head on his shoulder. “The wrong thing,” she admitted. “I wished for a successful career. I’ve been hoping for a do-over wish, but haven’t seen another shooting star yet.” She bumped him with her knee. “What about you? What did you wish for?”
He turned toward her, lifting her head from his shoulder and cradling her neck. “I wished for you to stay.” Caressing her cheek with his thumb, he looked deep into her eyes, desperate to be lost in them. “I love you, Reese Calloway. I have for a long time. I know your life is in Chicago, but nothing would make me happier than—”
She pounced against him, her lips crashing into his. Her arms wrapped around his neck and squeezed, as if she couldn’t quite get close enough to him. He lost himself in her kiss, forgetting all about stargazing and wishes.
Everything he wanted was right here in his arms.
Chapter 16
Reese
It didn’t matter that Reese managed less than three hours of sleep. Tired or not, sleeping in would never come easily to her. She was up at four again, waiting on her cup of coffee to brew, and smiling like a fool.
Hudsonlovedher.
She’d suspected as much for a few days, but his words confirmed it.
He loved her, and the very thought made her giddy with happiness. It made her want to toss away everything and stay right here in Starlight with him—with the man who knew her better than anyone. The same man who’d gone to extraordinary lengths to make her feel at home.
Reese took her coffee mug to the beat-up kitchen table. They could replace it down the road, but she really hoped they wouldn’t. The table with its scratch marks and stains was growing on her. Or maybe it was having her own spot that made her feel so attached to it.
Unable to break all old habits, she scrolled through her tablet. She gave her work email inbox only a brief glance before moving on to her personal one. Excitement filled her when she spotted the reply to the email she sent to a local boarder two days earlier.
She browsed its contents, pleasantly surprised to find not only the information she sought, but an invitation to visit. Reese bit down on her bottom lip, wondering if there was time to go today. There were still hundreds of yards of fence to repair, but maybe Hudson would make an exception.
It was the next email that forced her to face reality. The one reminding her of her return flight to Chicago tomorrow morning.
Reese didn’t want to go.
For the first time in her life, she really didn’t want to go home.
But Monday morning she owed her bosses an answer on that promotion. An answer in person. Was it so wild to consider turning it down? Reese would never have dared to walk away from such a rare opportunity in her whole life.
What would her parents think? They’d probably already bragged to all their friends. She mentally kicked herself for calling them when she did. Would they understand she was following her heart? More importantly, would they forgive her?
She wished there was some in-between answer, but no matter her choice, someone would be disappointed or hurt.
To ward off the sour feelings, she reread the boarding email. Her excitement returned so quickly that the answer to her dilemma felt clearer than ever before.
“Good morning,” Hudson’s suave voice greeted from the doorway. He let out a yawn that only made him more attractive. Or perhaps it was his hair, wild and mashed from sleep. “You really don’t sleep, do you? Are you a vampire?” He leaned down and gave her a kiss that left her breathless.
Yep. She was most definitely in love with Hudson.
“You’re up to something,” he said, nodding at her tablet. “Can I have a cup of coffee first?”
